Scientific Family
Fabaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
D. polygonoides
Height
1 foot
Riparian
No
Stems are slender and erect or nearly erect.
Leaflets that are linear and filiform distinguish this species from D. polygonoides.
Habitat
Open slopes, grassy plains and rocky mountain slopes.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Corolla is purple. Calyx is 5 toothed and densely hairy. Petals are clawed. Flowers appear in dense clusters at the end of long stems.
Flower color
Purple
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
August
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Has 3 to 5 leaflets per leaf. Leaflets are thread-like and filamentous (filiform - thus the name).
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Pods are small and do not open at maturity.
Fruit type
Pod
1 to 2 seeds per pod.